Orange Park Elks Lodge #2605 held its annual fall school supplies drive for Ortega Elementary School, a Title I school in Jacksonville, Florida. Members donated supplies throughout August. On Sept. 6, Alise Taylor-Sindab, Exalted Ruler, delivered the more than 288 items, including notebook paper, spiral notebooks, pencils, folders, backpacks, markers, erasers, pencils, pencil sharpeners and crayons.
Pictured are Traci Taylor, parent liaison; Michelle Tibbitts, paraprofessional; and Alise Taylor-Sindab, Exalted Ruler.
On Aug. 17, Jacksonville Lodge presented an American Heritage Corner to the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department. Ninety people were in attendance, including community members, fire department members and lodge members. Documents in the American Heritage Corner include the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights, Monroe Doctrine, Gettysburg Address, Elks Resolution on Law and Order, and Elks Declaration of American Principles. Randy Wyse, President of International Association of Firefighters Jacksonville Local 122 and 32-year JFRD veteran, assisted in organizing the event.
Pictured are Carla Ray Rhymes, Americanism Lodge Chair; Tony Langals, Americanism Committee member and Inner Guard; and Ron Snelling, PER, retired JFRD firefighter.
On July 27, Jacksonville Elks Lodge #221 presented a certificate of honor to Duval Asphalt, an American-owned and Jacksonville-based company for properly flying the American flag. Duval Asphalt displays the largest flag in Jacksonville, and it is a significant icon in the city. Its presence commands immediate attention from those driving nearby and Naval aviation pilots flying into NAS Jacksonville. This company routinely replaces the flag to keep a crisp, beautiful flag displayed at all hours, and the flag’s presence instills patriotism and pride in workers at Duval Asphalt and other nearby businesses.
Pictured are Ralph DeCicco, PER; Karen Tracy, Veterans Chair; Mitchell Gant, Duval Asphalt VP; Paul Jergensen Duval Asphalt president; Bob Morgan, Flag Day Chair; Jennifer Garrett, Duval Asphalt director of marketing and business development; Tony Langals, Inner Guard and Americanism Committee member; Carla Ray Rhymes, Americanism Chair; Eli Smith, future Elk; Kayla Smith, lodge member; and Robin Pipkins, Leading Knight.
On July 15, St. Augustine Elks Lodge #829 donated its facilities to the Signal 34 Foundation Inc. for a benefit for Sgt. Michael Kunovich, a St. Johns County Sherriff officer who died on duty. The lodge also donated $1,000 from its charity funds. According to its Facebook page, the Signal 34 Foundation was “founded by officers for officers who have suffered serious injuries in the line of duty.” Approximately 100 people were in attendance.
Jacksonville Lodge held its Flag Day ceremony June 11 for 75 attendees, including lodge officers, members, family, armed forces members, veterans, police officers and representatives from Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.). Lodge members provided “About Our Flag” brochures, “Honor Our Flag” decals and flag lapel pins. Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Color Guard performed, led by Lt. Elizabeth Kenny; St. Johns County Sheriff Deputy Rust Burns; and Bob Morgan, Flag Day chair. Afterward, there was a fireside burning of 52 unserviceable flags, and the lodge hosted a buffet for all in attendance.
Pictured are the color guard; Carla Ray Rhymes, Americanism Chair, with Wally Banks, Jacksonville Police Officer, who won the flag giveaway; and Karen Tracey, Esquire and Veterans Services Chair.